Pritzker gives Democrats near-record power in Illinois

Monday

SPRINGFIELD — Democrat J.B. Pritzker took office Monday as the state’s 43rd governor, delivering a message of bipartisan cooperation while the state tackles the challenges still facing it.

But while calling for that cooperation, Pritzker did not shy away from detailing how his approach will be different from his predecessor’s.

With the outgoing Gov. Bruce Rauner looking on from his seat on the stage, Pritzker said the state must pass a balanced budget even though “our obligations as a state outmatch our resources and the solution requires a collective commitment to embracing hard choices.”

“But be clear about this — I won’t balance the budget on the backs of the starving, the sick and the suffering,” Pritzker said. “I won’t hollow out the functions of government to achieve an ideological agenda. I won’t make the government the enemy and government employees the scapegoat.”

During Rauner’s tenure, the state went through a prolonged budget impasse that severely strained human services organizations that deliver services on behalf of the state.

Rauner also engaged in an ongoing war on organized labor, particularly against unions representing government workers.

Pritzker also said Illinois must begin a new century of statehood with leadership “that abandons single-minded, arrogant notions. No, everything is not broken.”

For his part, Rauner attended the inauguration, something his predecessor, Pat Quinn, did not do four years ago when Rauner became governor. Rauner’s final official communication was a tweet sent before the ceremony where he said “it has been a privilege to serve the people of Illinois as governor. I pray the new administration will build on the challenges we met to conquer the challenges that remain.”

Pritzker takes office with daunting problems facing the state. The backlog of bills stands at more than $7 billion, the state desperately needs a new capital improvement plan although there is no agreement on how to pay for it and Illinois is no closer to resolving the problem of steadily increasing pension payments that are starving other state programs of money.

Democrats hold super majorities in both the House and Senate, but that is no guarantee Democrats alone will provide the votes for issues on Pritzker’s agenda, particularly when it comes to paying for a capital plan or even putting an amendment on the ballot for a graduated income tax.

Even before he delivers his first budget speech, Pritzker faces additional financial challenges. Illinois universities recently said they want a $314 million increase to help offset years of cuts. And Pritzker has said he will resume negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members who have gone four years without raises.

During his speech, Pritzker touched on many of the themes from his campaign. He said the current flat income tax is “simply unsustainable” and work must begin on the graduated tax.

“All who enter a discussion about our state’s budget and a fair tax system in good faith will be welcome to the table,” he said. “But if you lead with partisanship and scare tactics you will be met with considerable political will.”

Pritzker said the state will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and that as one of his first acts as governor, Illinois will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors who are fighting climate change.

The Illinois Republican Party didn’t appear to be buying into any message of unity. Party chairman Tim Schneider issued a statement saying Pritzker’s agenda “will be the same agenda that has dragged our state down for decades — borrow, tax, spend, repeat.”

“Over the coming weeks and months, we will hold Pritzker, (House Speaker Michael) Madigan, (Senate President John) Cullerton and all Democrats accountable for their false promises because we know they are the main culprits behind Illinois’ fiscal demise,” he said. “We won’t be afraid to speak out against the latest policy disasters Illinois Democrats are embracing.”

Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington said there is much the governor and Senate Republicans can do together in a bipartisan fashion despite disagreements on the progressive income tax.

“We Republicans believe that reducing the burden on families and businesses is more productive, more conducive to economic growth. He believes obviously strongly the way he does,” Brady said. “He’s been very clear that aside from that issue there’s many issues we can work together on.”

In addition to Pritzker, five other statewide officials took the oath of office Monday, all of them Democrats. Juliana Stratton became the state’s first black lieutenant governor.

Kwame Raoul, a son of Haitian immigrants, is taking office as attorney general. Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Treasurer Mike Frerichs begin new terms and Jesse White, the state’s first black secretary of state, starts a record sixth term.

Staff writer Cassie Buchman contributed to this report.

Contact Doug Finke: doug.finke@sj-r.com, 217-788-1527, @dougfinkesjr

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